Undergarment with receptacle for receiving medical device

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to an undergarment having a receptacle for receiving a medical device therein, the receptacle including an opening for inserting the medical device therein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to undergarments having a receptacle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an undergarment having a receptacle for receiving a medical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and are for illustration by way of example and not limitations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevation view of a women's undergarment having a plurality of receptacles for receiving a medical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevation view of the inside of the women's undergarment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of a men's undergarment having a plurality of receptacles for receiving a medical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevation view of the inside of the men's undergarment of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to an undergarment 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-4. Specifically, the undergarment 10 includes a main piece 12 having an outside 14, an inside 16 and a plurality of receptacles 18 a,b for receiving a medical device. It will be readily understood that the garment may instead have a single receptacle 18 a. The undergarment 10 can be many different styles including a high cut women's style (FIGS. 1, 2), boxer brief men's style (FIGS. 3, 4), boxers, thongs, and long underwear.

The main piece 12 can be made of any fabric such as cotton, wool, nylon, silk, spandex, rayon, acetate, flannel, fleece, silk, polyester, or combination thereof. The main piece 12 may be at least partially elastic and may have seams, stitches, and flaps.

The outside 14 faces away from the wearer and in some embodiments is in contact with or cooperatively forms the receptacles 18 a,b. As best seen in FIG. 3, the outside 14 generally includes the tops of seams and stitches or any portion that is intended to be externally visible.

The inside 16 contacts the wearer and in some embodiments is in contact with or cooperatively forms the receptacles 18 a,b. As best seen in FIG. 4, the inside 16 generally includes the underside of seams and stitches or any portion that is not intended to be externally visible.

The receptacles 18 a,b are approximately 3 inches wide in a first dimension and 3 inches tall in a second dimension and expandable in a third dimension for fitting a medical device therein. The receptacles 18 a,b can be made from any fabric such as cotton, wool, nylon, silk, spandex, rayon, acetate, flannel, fleece, silk, polyester, or combination thereof. The receptacles 18 a,b can be stitched to the main piece 12 or can be attachable and detachable via a button, zipper, Velcro®, hook, or snap. The receptacles 18 a,b can be positioned adjacent the outside 14 or inside 16 and can be partially formed there from. The receptacles 18 a,b have first openings 20 a,b for receiving the medical device and/or receiving a conduit such as a medical tube or cord there through. The openings 20 a,b can be at a top side of the receptacles 18 a,b or can be positioned at an inner, outer, left, right, or bottom side. The openings 20 a,b can be closeable by means of a button, zipper, Velcro®, snap, hook, or fold. The openings 20 a,b can also be slightly narrower than the medical device and resistively expandable to be temporarily wider than the medical device for inserting the medical device into the receptacles 18 a,b and retaining the medical device therein. The receptacles 18 a,b can also have second openings 22 a,b for receiving the conduit. The second openings 22 a,b are significantly smaller for preventing the medical device from going therethrough and only allowing the conduit therethrough. The second openings 22 a,b can be reinforced by stitching, extra fabric, or metal or plastic eyelets.

Thus, there has been described an undergarment 10 having a receptacle 18 a. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications are possible and also such changes, variations, modifications, other uses, and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An undergarment for accommodating a medical device comprising: a main piece; and at least one receptacle for receiving the medical device, the receptacle being attached to the main piece and including a first opening for inserting the medical device.
 2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the main piece presents an inside surface and the receptacle is attached thereto.
 3. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the main piece presents an outside surface and the receptacle is attached thereto.
 4. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the opening is operable to be selectively opened and closed.
 5. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a second opening for receiving a conduit therethrough.
 6. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the second opening is reinforced.
 7. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the first opening is narrower than the medical device and is resistively expandable so as to be made temporarily wider than the medical device for inserting the medical device and retaining the medical device within the receptacle.
 8. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a fastener for selectively closing the opening and retaining the medical device within the receptacle.
 9. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is operable to be selectively fastened to and removed from the undergarment.
 10. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the undergarment includes two receptacles equally spaced from a middle of the undergarment.
 11. An undergarment for accommodating a medical device comprising: a main piece presenting an inside surface; and at least one receptacle for receiving the medical device, the receptacle being attached to the inside surface of the undergarment and including a first opening for inserting the medical device, a fastener for selectively closing the first opening, and a second opening for inserting a conduit therethrough. 